Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Declan Rice from West Ham United at the end of the season.
According to a report by Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are prioritising a summer move for West Ham United captain Declan Rice. The Blues have been linked with a move for the England international for a while now, and Rice is set to leave West Ham at the end of the season.
According to the report, Rice wants to join a club playing UEFA Champions League football. And although Chelsea are not guaranteed a top-four finish, he could consider joining the Blues. Chelsea are still an attractive project and a club with a formidable squad.
Even if they miss out on a top-four finish this season, there is no reason why they cannot challenge for the major trophies next year. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has invested millions into the squad, and he set to improve the squad even further in January and at the end of the season.
Rice is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe, and he could prove to be the ideal long-term replacement for club legend N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman will be out of contract in the summer, and he could leave as a free agent.
Rice came through the Chelsea academy before being released as a teenager. He will feel that he has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge, and the player is reportedly keen on moving to a London club. However, the Blues could face competition from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool as well.
All three clubs need to improve their midfield options, and it will be interesting to see where the West Ham captain ends up. Apparently the 23-year-old could cost around £70 million in the summer. Rice will have one year left on his contract at the end of the season, and West Ham will be under pressure to cash in on him if he refuses to sign an extension with them.
The 23-year-old English international has proven himself in the Premier League and at the international level with England. He was outstanding for the Three Lions in the recently concluded World Cup and in the European Championships prior to that.
Rice has all the attributes to develop into a world-class footballer, and he is well-settled in the Premier League. He is expected to make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge and transform Chelsea in the middle of the park. The Blues are also set to sign Enzo Fernandez this month, and the arrival of Rice in the summer could complete their midfield for the foreseeable future.
